In my ongoing pursuit for personal growth, I’ve been a fan of Rich Roll for some time now – listening to loads of his podcasts and also reading his bestselling book. I’m also a big fan of Chris Williamson‘s Modern Wisdom podcast, so had to list when Rich Roll appeared on Modern Wisdom recently.
And then Rich went and dropped this bombshell:
“Well it happens small until it happens big. The reinvention occurs in the microactions that you’re taking every single day. The tiny little things that perhaps no-one even notices that are creating muscle memory around new behaviours.
Tiny little things repeated over time is what produces dramatic change and it’s like this curve, you know, it’s like this very slow curve and everyone wants to talk about the pivot moment when it goes skyward. But the truth is the real work is in the drudgery and the difficult, anonymous work of shovelling shit every single day.
In sobriety they say ‘don’t leave before the miracle’ and I take that as a lesson in persistence. Whatever it is you’re pursuing to achieve or express in the world, I think a lot of people back out before that happens.”
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So much to unpack, but let me try…
The power of micro-actions
Rich tells us that growth isn’t always about grand gestures. It’s often the small, consistent actions that lead to remarkable transformations.
Think of your personal development as a slow-burning fire. Each day, you add a small twig to the flame.
At first, the changes might seem insignificant. You may wonder if your efforts are making any difference.
But don’t be discouraged. These micro-actions are the foundation of your future success.
Every small step creates new neural pathways in your brain. You’re literally rewiring yourself for success, one tiny action at a time.
Consistency is key. It’s not about making huge leaps, but about showing up every single day.
Some days, your effort might feel like shoveling dirt. It’s not glamorous, and no one may notice your hard work.
But remember, you’re building something extraordinary. Your daily actions compound over time.
Persistence through the plateau
Picture a graph of your progress. For a long while, it might look flat, barely rising.
This is where Rich says that many people give up. They can’t see the dramatic changes they’re hoping for.
But if you persist, something magical happens. The curve starts to bend upward.
Suddenly, all those tiny improvements snowball into noticeable change. Your efforts become visible to the world.
This is the “miracle” moment. It’s when your persistent growth pays off in a big way.
But here’s the catch: you never know when this moment will come. It could be tomorrow, next month, or next year.
The only way to reach it is to keep going, even when progress seems slow. Don’t leave before your miracle happens.
Embracing your unique growth journey
Your journey of continuous growth is about more than just reaching a goal. It’s about becoming the person who can achieve that goal.
Every small action shapes your identity. You’re not just doing; you’re becoming.
Rich encourages you to embrace the daily grind. Find joy in the small victories.
Celebrate each improvement, no matter how tiny it seems. These are the building blocks of your transformation.
Remember, growth happens small until it happens big. Trust the process.
Your consistent efforts are creating ripples that will eventually become waves. Keep moving forward, one small step at a time.
The journey of personal growth is uniquely yours. No one else can take these steps for you.
But know that every great achievement in history started with small, consistent actions. You’re in good company.
So what will your small step be today? What tiny action can you take to move closer to your goals?
It doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be something.
Start now. Take that tiny step. And then another. And another.
Before you know it, you’ll look back and marvel at how far you’ve come. All from growing just a little bit each day.
Your future self is cheering you on. Don’t let them down. Keep adding those twigs to your fire of personal growth.